Dear Heloise: How do you get a food stain out of a microwave? — Debbie Brown, Texarkana, Ark.

Practically every home and office has a microwave, but the truth is that keeping it stain-free is a constant chore. Of course, the best thing to do is clean a food spill ASAP!

Just add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 cup of water in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 or 3 minutes, or until the water boils. Leave the microwave door closed for about 10-15 minutes, since the water is superheated and could scald!

The steam softens the gunk so you can wipe it away. If a tough stain like spaghetti doesn’t budge, try rubbing it with a soft cloth, water and baking soda.
The baking soda will help get rid of smells, too. Baking soda is one of my all-time-favorite multipurpose cleaners. It’s cheap and safe, and you usually have it on hand. I have put together great money-saving hints using baking soda around your home.

To receive a copy of the pamphlet, please send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. This great pamphlet also includes recipes for Toffee Cookies, Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Bread. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read your hints in The Hutchinson (Kan.) News. When I don’t want to drag out my larger cutting board to prepare veggies, I grab the plastic lid from a clean, empty margarine tub and use it as my cutting board, and the tub serves as my garbage bowl. — Linda, Scott City, Kan.

Dear Heloise: I am writing to remind people of the importance of keeping their can openers clean. The wheel of the opener can be a collector of all kinds of “gunk.” We sometimes fail to realize that food from the can we are opening seeps out and collects on these wheels and can build up into a nasty mess. This is true not only of those openers mounted on the wall, but also of hand-held ones. A small toothbrush and liquid detergent will do the trick. It doesn’t take very long and is a healthful thing to do. — Ann H., Ocean City, Md.

This is a good reminder. It’s very important to keep appliances clean, not only for health reasons, but also to keep them working properly. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I find soaking almonds in a glass of water overnight, or at least a couple of hours, makes them easier to peel. It also makes them soft and juicy and easy to eat without damaging your teeth or dentures. They also split easily when you want to chop them up for a recipe. — Daisy from North Carolina

Dear Heloise: I was having trouble getting some sticky spilled juice cleaned up in my refrigerator.

The wet rags and paper towels just smeared the mess around. I put wet towels in the microwave for a couple of seconds, and they removed the spill easily. — Candace Rutherford, Montgomery, Ala.